A group of male and female teenagers standing on a rock with a view in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado Explorer

Trip Summary

Join us for two unforgettable weeks exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Colorful Colorado. Experience the wonders of Rocky Mountain National Park as you hike through vibrant wildflower meadows and take in stunning vistas. Sharpen your climbing skills with views of the Collegiate Peaks within the Sawatch Range, paddle down the Upper Colorado River, and hike to spectacular views atop the 12,713-foot Hallett Peak or Flattop Mountain. Cap off your adventure with the nonstop rollercoaster rapids of the Cache la Poudre River!

The Colorado adventure camp is perfect for teens of all levels of experience. With expert guidance, we ensure a supportive and fun environment where everyone will thrive.

Itinerary

Spend several days hiking in the Rocky Mountains during peak wildflower season. As you wind through dense pine and aspen forests, past green-blue alpine lakes, and beneath stunning ridgelines, you and your new friends will play fun games like hide and seek and "camouflage." By the end of the backpack, it'll feel like you've been friends for years. We'll do one day hike before heading into the woods for a three-day, two-night backpack, which will feel like a fun scavenger hunt as we look for beautiful wildflowers and wildlife like bighorn sheep, mule deer, moose, marmots, and elk.

The Upper Colorado River awaits! With sections of calm water separating famous class II and III rapids with names like "Eye of the Needle" and "Yarmony Rapids," this section of river is perfect for both new and experienced rafters alike. Plus, you can't beat the scenery of northern Rocky Mountain National Park, including vibrant wildflowers and rugged canyon walls.

The Sawatch Range is home to eight of the 20 highest peaks in the Rockies, and within its forests lay hundreds of granitic outcroppings—perfect for climbers of all skill levels and a perfect place to learn the basics of rock climbing. Advance your technique and skills on multiple routes and see how high you can go. The next day, admire your surrounding views from a different perspective on an insanely fun aerial adventure course!

Venture back into Rocky Mountain National Park, this time to hike up Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak, where the 360-degrees will leave you speechless. At the summit, you'll feel like you're walking on top of the world; everywhere you look are gorgeous mountains, including Longs Peak (the tallest mountain in the park at 14,259 feet) and several other 12,000- and 13,000-foot peaks. High above treeline, you and your friends will be jumping up and down with excitement!

Cap off a Colorado adventure with a ride down the Cache la Poudre River! You'll hear your own laughter echo off the surrounding valley walls as you paddle down the state's only Wild and Scenic River; you can't help but have pure, nonstop fun with rapids named Roller Coaster and Thunder Alley!

Trip Details

Arrival/Departure

Denver, CO (DEN)

Grades

7th, 8th

Length

13 days

Dates

6/26 - 7/87/13 - 7/257/30 - 8/11

Tuition

$5,395

Activities

Backpacking
Rock climbing
Summit
Whitewater rafting

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Included in tuition:
  • All meals
  • Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, and all group gear
  • Guided activities
Not included in tuition:
  • Airfare to and from Denver, CO (DEN)
  • Travel protection (more info here)
  • Personal clothing and items (packing lists available for enrolled families)
Travel information
  • Arrive in DEN on opening day between 9 am and 12:30 pm
  • Depart from DEN on closing day between 6 am and 11 am
  • Find more travel information here
Camping

Most of our nights are spent at "frontcountry" campsites, where we'll generally have a more developed campsite with running water, toilets, and sometimes cell phone service. This may be a public or private campground. We often stay at the same frontcountry site a few days in a row.

The other few nights will be spent "backcountry" camping, referring to wilderness locations where we are most likely out of cell phone service and away from our vehicles, electricity, and other amenities. Multi-day activities like backpacking take place in the backcountry.

Challenge/fitness level

No experience necessary; all skill levels welcome! We'll teach students everything they need to know to be successful and have tons of fun.

Fitness and physical challenge are subjective, so Adventure Treks does not "rate" its trips based on challenge. However, because we’ll be highly engaged in backcountry activities throughout trip, our students have the responsibility to be physically fit. We know physical fitness looks different for everyone, but it’s important to come prepared so that you and your fellow students can succeed. One student not coming prepared with physical fitness will negatively impact the entire group. In the months leading up to their trip, students should develop a routine that emphasizes stamina and sustaining a moderate level of exertion for many hours, several days in a row. Running, swimming, bicycling, aerobics classes, and team sports are all beneficial and will help improve cardiovascular fitness in preparation for a student’s trip.

Why choose Adventure Treks?

Adventure Treks stands out for its intentional, close-knit communities where experienced instructors create a welcoming, supportive environment that helps teens build lasting friendships and grow into capable, happy young adults. We have the highest staff-to-student ratios in the industry and include necessary gear so every student feels prepared. Our programs emphasizes real growth—confidence, independence, resilience, and leadership—through meaningful outdoor challenges, with a thoughtful risk management mindset woven into every trip. Trusted by families for more than three decades, the experience often becomes a turning point during a critical age that leaves a lasting impression for life.

Parent testimonials

"Hudson really enjoyed the experience. Seemed like a good group of kids and leaders, and the communication and preparation was very good; it was all very well organized, and most important it sounds like those in charge led effectively. I think Hudson developed strong bonds and friendships on the trip and more self-confidence and accountability." – Gardner Dudley, Houston, TX

"AT provides kids with a terrific and rare opportunity to just be—without their phones, and surrounded by caring role models who are truly invested in the well-being of the kids on the trip. We really wanted Max to go in to a new environment and make some new friends without the tech that he's surrounded with during the school year and, yes, he did achieve this. He is much more interested in carrying his own luggage, cooking for himself, and even seems more willing to clean up after himself. He generally seems to have a heightened awareness that he belongs to something bigger than himself. The instructors are so great. Max felt really cared for, even though there is a lot of uncertainty and unpredictability associated with being in the outdoors all the time." – Janna Levin, Winston Salem, NC

"Kai had a fantastic experience! He came home a super happy and excited kid, and he was already talking about what he wants to do next summer. Also, I really appreciate the clear and prompt communication from all of the AT staff; from picking flights to communicating with us during the trip, everyone was great." – Eve Strickman, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

"The trip was well organized, and the staff does a terrific job communicating the requirements. Kaito enjoyed traveling with other kids his age and the opportunity to step back from the daily information overload online." – Neil Smith, Portola Valley, CA

"The communication from Adventure Treks was top notch. As we were deciding on a course, we spoke with Amanda. She was patient with all our random questions and very responsive to every request. I LOVE that the kids are held responsible for tasks and that they had to work together. Experiences like this allow kids a safe opportunity for independence and a chance to deal with people with whom they might not naturally gravitate toward. These skills are absolutely necessary when they embark into adulthood and these experiences equip our kids to be functioning members of the world." – Alexa Johnson Anderson, Columbus, GA

Student testimonials

"This trip was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I'm so grateful for the people who made it happen. I would tell a nervous friend: It's so much more fun than it sounds, and the experiences are unforgettable." – Dylan from NY

"Our instructors were like older siblings. They were smart, super chill, easy to talk to, and full of interesting stories." – Michael from Kuala Lumpur

"Backpacking was hard, but I'm so happy I did it. I showed myself I could do it, and it helps kids realize they can do more than they think. The instructors on this trip were amazing. They supported me and pushed me all the way through. They were the best!" – Oliver from CT

"I discovered that I'm able to cope in hard situations, and it's good to get away from my phone. I'll miss everyone I met—over two weeks, we all got so close." – Katelyn from KY

"Keep pushing us to our limits! It taught me a lot, and I think we all benefitted from it. I know now that I'm a lot stronger than I give myself credit for." – Piper from CA

"I discovered that I can have a lot more confidence in myself without my phone. The hardest thing was the leap of faith: I didn't think I could do a 30-foot cliff jump, but I did! The people are nicer than you think, and the instructors buy you Slurpees!" – Philip from CA

"Before AT, I was nervous about the people in the group. Now I'm sad about not being with them. Our interactions were so fun and heartwarming." – Anonymous

"Everything was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!" – TJ from TN

"I'll remember it as the first time I was completely on my own, away from home, and all the life skills I learned." – Barrett from NC

Read more parent and student testimonials here.

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